A 50-Year-Old Patient with Diabetes Mellitus Has a Low-Grade Fever

A 50-year-old patient with diabetes mellitus has a low-grade fever and pain on one foot. The provider notes erythema and swelling at the site along with several superficial skin ulcers without necrosis and suspects osteomyelitis. Which type of diagnostic study will the provider order?

A) Biopsy of bone or debridement cultures
B) Blood cultures and serologic markers of inflammation
C) Magnetic resonance imaging of the foot
D) Plain radiograph of the foot